Some More on the Illinois Rangers

From Clinton Illinois genealogy "Muster Rolls of Volunteers -- 1812"

Although Illinois Territory Governor Ninian Edwards had several times during the years 1811-1812 recommended to the U..S. Secretary of War the enlistment of  one or more companies of "Rangers" to protect the frontier, and Congress in 1811 passed an act  authorizing the organization of ten companies of rangers, which was afterwards  organized as the 17th United States Regiment, under Colonel William Russell of Kentucky, an Indian fighter of bravery and experience, it does not appear that more than one company was recruited in the Illinois Territory.

However, four companies were now allotted for the defense of Illinois, whose respective captains were  Samuel and William B. Whitesides, James R. Moore and Jacob Short.

Independent Cavalry Companies were also organized for the protection of  the remote settlements  in the lower Wabash country, of which Willis Hargrave, William McHenry, Nathaniel Journey.

William McHenry was the namesake of McHenry County (where I live) and the city of McHenry which is also in the county.  I was always under the opinion that the county and city were named after Fort McHenry in Baltimore, the subject of our "Star-Spangled Banner."

Captain Craig, at Shawneetown, and William Boon at Big Muddy, were respectively commanders ready to make the Indians pay for any attacks.

--Brock-Perry

About That Captain Thomas E. Craig-- Part 3: Destruction of the French Village at Peoria

Continued from August 4, 2021. 

In his book "Illinois in the War of 1812" author Gillum Ferguson said he wanted to be fair to the plight of the Illinois Indians.  "I wanted to give the Indians their fair due without romanticizing them," said Ferguson, who recounted a "possible" massacre of  Indians in the central Illinois area where U.S. troops reportedly wiped out Indian women and children in an encounter that took place in what is now Logan County.

But accounts on what took place vary.

What is a matter of record is the destruction of the French village in Peoria  by Captain Thomas Craig of Shawneetown.  

After finding the village deserted when he arrived, Craig allowed his men to ransack the unguarded cottages and storehouses.

--Brock-Perry

Early History of Peoria Illinois-- Part 3: 'The Damned Rascals May Think Themselves Well Off That They Were Not Scalped'

After the raid, Captain Thomas E. Craig of Shawneetown and a company of troops boarded boats that were anchored just offshore of the French village.  Sometime during the evening, shots were fired at their vessels.  The troops stormed ashore to loot and burn the village.  Craig then arrested the inhabitants; forced 41 men, women and children to board the two vessels; and brought them to Savage's  Ferry, near present day Alton.

After the prisoners had been held for four days,  Governor Edwards ordered their release.  Captain Craig later reported to Edwards, "I burnt down about half the town.  The damned rascals may think themselves well off that they were not scalped."

This episode marked the end of the French settlement at Peoria.

--Brock-Perry

John McLean, Illinois Politician

From Wikipedia.

February 4, 1791 to October 14, 1830.

McLean County, Illinois, is named for him.

U.S. Representative and Senator from Illinois.  Born near Guilford Court House, North Carolina, (now Greensboro).  Moved with parents to Logan County, Kentucky and then to Illinois Territory in 1815.

Although definitely old enough to have fought in the War of 1812, I have been unable to find anything about service during that war.

He studied law and was admitted to the bar in Shawneetown.

When Illinois became a state, he was was elected to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy stemming from the resignation on Ninian Edwards.  He failed for reelection and then was reelected and served as a senator from 1829 until his death the following year.

He is interred at Westwood Cemetery near Shawneetown, Illinois.

--Brock-Perry

Major William McHenry, McHenry (Illinois) County's Namesake-- Part 1: From Kentucky

From Wikipedia

I had always though McHenry County, Illinois, where we live, was named for Baltimore's Fort McHenry, but just found out a short time ago that it was named for Major William McHenry.

William McHenry was an early Illinois politician and soldier.

He is believed to have been born in 1771 and married Hannah Ruth Blackford in the late 1790s in Logan County, Kentucky.  He served as a lieutenant in Price's Battalion of Mounted Volunteers and participated in thye Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794, near modern day Toledo, Ohio.

McHenry moved from Henderson County, Kentucky, in 1810 and settled in what is now White County, Illinois, along the trail near the old salt works in Shawneetown, Illinois, and Fort Vincennes.

--Brock-Perry